Essential Tech Etiquette: How to Keep Your Business Running Smoothly During the Holidays

Brett Brumm
1 day ago
2 min read

The extended holiday season—from Thanksgiving through the New Year—is a critical time for small businesses. While you and your team deserve a well-earned break, your technology must remain robust, secure, and available. To ensure your business remains the responsive and trustworthy partner clients rely on, a proactive approach to IT etiquette is essential.

Implementing these quick tech check-ups will achieve IT Hassle Free status, preventing digital mishaps and minimizing customer frustration.

1. Stop Customer Frustration: Ensure Your Digital Hours Are Accurate

Nothing frustrates a rushed customer faster than incorrect business hours, which can damage goodwill and lead to lost business. Being transparent about your availability is paramount.

Audit All Channels: Update your hours not only on your website banner but also on crucial platforms like your Google Business Profile, Facebook, and Apple Maps.
Set Clear Expectations: Post a clear, friendly schedule for all holiday closures.

2. Craft a Professional Out-of-Office Message (Keep It Secure)

When your office is closed, your out-of-office (OOO) reply is the voice of your business. A good OOO shows you're responsive and professional, even while away.

State Exact Dates: Clearly communicate the dates the office is closed (e.g., closed for Thanksgiving) and when they can expect a response.
Provide a Lifeline: Always include an alternative contact or support line for truly urgent matters, maintaining a quick response time.
Maintain Security: Do not share excessive personal or team itinerary details. Oversharing can create potential security risks.

3. Test Your Call Path: The Voicemail Checkup

During the holidays, callers are often stressed. Your voicemail serves as a critical customer experience checkpoint when you can't answer the phone.

Listen to Yourself: Call your main business number and confirm the recorded greeting reflects your current holiday closures.
Validate Emergency Routing: If you offer an "on-call" option for support, confirm it correctly routes to the right person or service desk, maintaining your commitment to timely issue resolution.

4. Fortify Security with Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

The holidays can increase security challenges as systems may be left unattended. Robust, cutting-edge security practices are non-negotiable.

Review Permissions: Utilize Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to confirm that permissions are strictly assigned by roles.
Reduce Risks: RBAC helps reduce risks, enhance security, and simplify system management, ensuring systems run smoothly with no downtime.

5. Plan for Proactive Success in the New Year

Your proactive thinking now minimizes disruptions and lays the groundwork for a successful start to the New Year.

Pre-Break Maintenance: Schedule all non-essential updates and patching before the team takes off to prevent systems from breaking down while unattended.
Strategic IT: If you’re concerned about cybersecurity for 2025 or planning a cloud migration, schedule your discovery call now. Getting the strategic discussion complete allows you to start the New Year with a clear plan and the support of an indispensable partner.

Let CETech help you make sure your IT systems are secure, responsive, and ready to meet—or even exceed—your clients' expectations this holiday season.

Book your free discovery call here CETtechno.com/discoverycall